BRICS ‘Getting Applications to Join Every Day,’ Attracts 19 Requests Before Summit

Over two dozen nations have applied for BRICS membership ahead of its upcoming annual summit, the representative of the hosting nation revealed in an interview. The organization which unites leading emerging economies will discuss its enlargement in early June. BRICS to Talk Expansion as Number of Candidates Continues to Grow The BRICS group of nations … Read more

Brazil’s President Lula Urges Developing Countries to Abandon Dollar as Global Reserve Currency

According to Brazil’s president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, developing countries should abandon the U.S. dollar and strengthen their own national currencies. During a speech at the New Development Bank in Shanghai, Lula expressed his nightly pondering: “Why do all countries have to base their trade on the dollar?” Brazil’s President Wants to Reduce the … Read more

Bankrupt Celsius Aims to Raise $14.4 Million From Bitcoin Mining Rig Credits and Coupons

Defunct cryptocurrency lender Celsius aims to secure more than $14 million from credits and coupons backed by Bitmain, according to an interim CEO Christopher Ferraro in a bankruptcy court filing dated Feb. 9, 2023. Ferraro stated in the filing that the “coupons currently provide no utility to the debtors’ mining business.” Celsius Interim CEO Outlines … Read more

Brussels Set to Begin Talks on EU Crypto Tax, Report Reveals

The European Commission is preparing to discuss with member states the adoption of a common tax regime for crypto assets, European officials have indicated. The talks with national treasuries are expected to start next year with the aim to end the differentiated tax treatment of cryptocurrencies across the bloc’s 27 jurisdictions. European Union to Consider … Read more

Russia to Decide Between Full Ban and Legalization of Crypto Investments, Trade

Authorities in Russia are discussing two very different approaches to the regulation of cryptocurrencies and related activities. While the Bank of Russia is reportedly seeking to introduce a ban on buying crypto assets, lawmakers are moving forward with efforts to adopt rules for mining, exchange, and taxation that would effectively legalize cryptocurrencies. Russian Officials Debate … Read more

Russia to Decide Fate of Crypto Exchangers in 2022

Discussions on the future of “virtual currency exchangers” in Russia should be completed in 2022, a high-ranking representative of the country’s financial watchdog has indicated. Following international standards, authorities in Moscow would have to either regulate or ban such platforms. Decision on Digital Currency Exchangers in Russia Expected Next Year Considerations regarding the regulatory treatment … Read more

Islamic Organization in Indonesia Issues Fatwa Against Cryptocurrency

A provincial branch of one the largest Islamic organizations in Indonesia has declared cryptocurrency “haram,” or forbidden under religious law. The decision came after a “heated discussion” joined by a crypto expert who was invited to explain in detail the practice of using digital coins. Cryptocurrency Deemed ‘Haram’ in Indonesia The local branch of the … Read more

Bank of Israel Drafts Model of a Digital Shekel

The central bank of Israel has offered a glance at what a digitalized version of the national fiat currency may look like. According to a released “draft model” of the coin, Israelis should be able to use the digital shekel in payments, even offline, and convert it to cash at any moment. The Israeli central … Read more

Bizarro World: Federated Sidechain Technology Promoted Over Nakamoto Consensus

On Oct. 10, Blockstream revealed that the company’s new product, Liquid, generated its first block on Sept. 27 and noted that a lot of the crypto-economy’s “biggest players” participated. Since Blockstream announced the launch of its federated sidechain, the technology has been praised by some and dismissed by others. Also read: BCH Devcon Streamlines Bitcoin Innovation … Read more

Japan to Call for Crypto Rules at the G20 Summit

Japanese representatives will push for the adoption of global rules on cryptocurrencies at the upcoming G20 meeting in Argentina. Next week, the summit will gather finance ministers and central bankers in Buenos Aires. Other countries also want to put crypto matters on the table, with signals coming from key members of the European Union.    … Read more